Candidates have been confirmed for the upcoming by-election in Gravesham to find a new county councillor.

Gravesham Labour councillors called for an immediate election following the death of Jane Cribbon, who died after a battle with stomach cancer on Friday, June 10.

Standing for the Pelham Ward seat is Conservative Conrad Broadley, Ukip’s Gary Harding, Marna Gilligan for Green, Sharan Virk for the Liberal Democrats and Jenny Wallace for Labour.

The Gravesham East seat could be filled by Diane Marsh who defected from Ukip to the Conservative party, Tina Brooker for Ukip, Martin Wilson for Green, Mark Marsh for Liberal Democrats or Lyn Milner for Labour.

Miss Brooker worked closely with Cllr Cribbon during the KCC street-light campaign. She said: “I was very upset by Jane’s death. She was a lovely lady who will be greatly missed.
“I’m feeling very optimistic about the election, but it’s all down to turn-out. We will be leafleting and canvassing, there is a lot of leg-work involved but it’s exciting.”

Standing for the same seat is Cllr Milner, who has served as a borough councillor for over 20 years representing Riverside Ward. She said: “I am delighted that the members of Gravesham Labour have put their trust in me to seek to carry on Jane’s great work.

“Our communities need a voice to challenge the cuts. If elected I will work with fellow county councillor Colin Caller to seek to improve local facilities and to ensure that County Hall listens to the opinions of our residents.”

Councillors John Caller and Steve Thompson called upon Kent County Council to announce the election to fill the vacancy for the Gravesham East Division.

Cllr Cribbon, who lived in Hillside Terrace, Gravesend, was a Labour member of Gravesham council for Central Ward and then Pelham Ward since 1999, chairing the planning committee. She won Gravesend East division on Kent County Council in 2013 for a second term.

An election to fill the seat on the borough council that Jane held for Pelham Ward has been called by Cllr Brian Sangha.

Cllr Caller said: “Jane’s death has not only been a great shock to everyone who knew and loved her but has left a tremendous void in our local politics.

“Jane knew that people are hurting as a direct result of the cutbacks being inflicted on the division and the whole county by the Conservatives in control of KCC.

“She spoke out against these cuts and represented local residents with never-ending commitment and energy.

“It is time to elect someone who will continue this work and hold Kent County Conservatives to account. I am sure that Gravesham Labour will stand a candidate who will continue with the amazing work that Jane did.”

Cllr Mackhan Singh added: “The people of Pelham Ward deserve to have their third councillor elected without delay. Jane did so much for our local communities, she will be difficult to replace.

“My fellow councillors have been helping to take the strain but we now need to ensure that we elect another Gravesham Labour councillor to serve the residents of Pelham.”

The election will take place on Thursday, August 18.